Garcia shot 8-of-19 for the Cardinals (18-7, 8-6), who snapped a four-game
losing streak. Otis George added 11 points and eight rebounds for Louisville,
which won for just the second time in its last eight contests.

“I have to give Memphis credit, they never stopped,” said Louisville head
coach Rick Pitino. “This win meant a lot to us. Memphis goes and John
(Calipari) has done a tremendous job with that team.”

Sean Banks poured in a game-high 26 points for Memphis (20-5, 11-3), which was
looking to win its 12th straight. Guard Antonio Burks chipped in with 22
points in the setback.

Rodney Carney, who is the Tigers’ third-leading scorer finished with just five
points in 17 minutes of action. He twisted his right ankle in the first half
and did not return.

A 9-3 spurt by the Cardinals to open the second half handed them a 14-point
cushion. Larry O’Bannon’s two free throws made it a 45-31 game with around 12
minutes remaining in the contest.

The lead would grow to 13 points over the next 4 1/2 minutes as another free
throw by O’Bannon made it a 56-43 contest with under eight to play.

However, Memphis used a 13-4 flurry to pull within just four points of
Louisville. Burks’ trey from the top of the key capped the burst, making it a
60-56 contest with just over three minutes remaining in the contest.

Louisville looked to seal the contest after Garcia drove the lane and found a
wide-open George for a dunk, making it 63-57 with 33 seconds left. Banks
converted a running trey for Memphis, keeping the game close at 63-60 seconds
later.

The Tigers were forced to foul the rest of the way. Nate Daniels hit two free
throws with 25 seconds left to make it 65-60 and Burks missed a three-pointer
at the other end to seal the contest. Brandon Jenkins would add a free throw
with 13 seconds left to complete the scoring.

“It was a heck of a basketball game,” said Memphis head coach John Calipari.
“We battled and that’s all you can ask for as a coach. They tried.”

Louisville opened the game scoring 17 of the contest’s first 25 points, taking
a 17-8 edge with under 14 minutes of play left.

Memphis answered with a 14-4 spurt, turning a nine-point deficit into a one-
point lead. Burks’ jumper ignited the run and Duane Ervin’s free throw ended
it, making it a 22-21 game with under eight left in the first half.

The Cardinals would recapture the lead using a 13-2 burst moments later.
George’s layup staked Louisville to a 34-24 advantage with around 2 1/2
minutes to play before half time.